City official: Image campaign carries no future obligation

Calls public-private partnership with Lamar 'a great venture'

October 3, 2012

In response to inquiries into the details of the public-private partnership tied to Cape Coral's new image campaign, officials are stressing that the city has no future financial commitments.

Last month, the city's Economic Development Office announced the joint venture with Lamar Advertising and the resulting campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the economic development opportunities in the Cape.

Lamar, an outdoor advertising firm, will provide space on 16 billboards, including five digital boards, in the Southwest Florida area free of charge.

While the city has reported that the public-private partnership is only costing staff time, some have questioned the possibility of future commitments.

City officals say there are none.

"There is no contract. There was no agreement necessary," City Councilmember Marty McClain said in a telephone interview. "It was a suggestion on their part."

He explained that Lamar had unused advertising space on the billboards and suggested that the city use it. Ed Bolter, Lamar's vice president and general manager, is a Cape resident and he has strong ties to the Cape community.

"He's involved in most of the organizations within the city," McClain said.

If a billboard space is sold, the city's image campaign comes down.

"Obviously, the paying customers come first," he said.

McClain called the partnership a great venture for the city.

"I'm really pleased with the agreement. We should take advantage of any opportunity we get like this," he said.

"I think it was commendable for Lamar to step up and get exposure for us," McClain added.